Compact speed-increasing thrust module for horizontal pump systems
A compact, speed-increasing thrust module which (i) installs as a unit in a horizontal pump system to replace the standard thrust chamber which would otherwise be used, (ii) allows the horizontal pump system to operate at an optimum speed outside of the pump motor rating, (iii) reduces the number of pump stages required, (iv) thereby reduces the overall size, weight and cost of the system, (v) reduces complexity, and (vi) reduces the time and costs for installation, leveling and component alignment.
1 . A speed-increasing thrust module which installs as a unit in a horizontal pump system, the speed-increasing thrust module comprising:
a module support bracket, plate, or frame;
a thrust compartment provided on or in the module support bracket, plate, or frame;
a speed-increasing gear compartment provided on or in the module support bracket, plate, or frame;
a first gear in the speed-increasing gear compartment which is driven by an input shaft;
a speed-increasing gear in the speed-increasing gear compartment which is driven by the first gear, the speed-increasing gear having an outer diameter which is less than an outer diameter of the first gear;
an output shaft which is driven by the speed-increasing gear and extends through one or more thrust bearings in the thrust compartment;
a lubricant in the thrust compartment; and
a lubricant cooling system comprising
a heat exchange element,
a pump which circulates the lubricant through the heat exchange element,
a fan which blows air through the heat exchange element to cool the lubricant, and
the fan being mounted on the input shaft.
2 . The speed-increasing thrust module of claim 1 further comprising:
the lubricant cooling system including a cooling system housing which is external to the speed-increasing gear compartment and the thrust compartment and
the heat exchange element and the fan being positioned in the cooling system housing.
3 . The speed-increasing thrust module of claim 2 further comprising the cooling system housing being mounted on the speed-increasing gear compartment.
4 . The speed-increasing thrust module of claim 1 further comprising the pump being a gear pump with a flow rate of not more than five gallons per minute.
5 . The speed-increasing thrust module of claim 1 further comprising the fan being a radial fan.
6 . The speed-increasing thrust module of claim 1 further comprising the first gear and the speed-increasing gear being helical gears.
7 . The speed-increasing thrust module of claim 1 further comprising the one or more thrust bearings being one or more angular contact ball bearings or one or more tilt pad thrust bearings.